U.S. patent application number 17/015194 was filed with the patent office on 2021-03-11 for prioritized power delivery for facilitating transport climate control.
The applicant listed for this patent is THERMO KING CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Nicholas Allan Cregan, Mark D. Leasure, Ryan Wayne Schumacher, Alessandro Silvestri, Matt Srnec, Michael James Vanous.
Application Number | 20210070134 17/015194 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005092818 |
Filed Date | 2021-03-11 |
![](/patent/app/20210070134/US20210070134A1-20210311-D00000.png)
![](/patent/app/20210070134/US20210070134A1-20210311-D00001.png)
![](/patent/app/20210070134/US20210070134A1-20210311-D00002.png)
![](/patent/app/20210070134/US20210070134A1-20210311-D00003.png)
![](/patent/app/20210070134/US20210070134A1-20210311-D00004.png)
![](/patent/app/20210070134/US20210070134A1-20210311-D00005.png)
![](/patent/app/20210070134/US20210070134A1-20210311-D00006.png)
![](/patent/app/20210070134/US20210070134A1-20210311-D00007.png)
![](/patent/app/20210070134/US20210070134A1-20210311-D00008.png)
United States Patent
Application |
20210070134 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schumacher; Ryan Wayne ; et
al. |
March 11, 2021 |
PRIORITIZED POWER DELIVERY FOR FACILITATING TRANSPORT CLIMATE
CONTROL
Abstract
Technologies are described herein to prioritize delivery of
power to electrical components associated with a vehicle and an
electrically powered accessory. A power distribution unit may
assess real-time power needs for the electrical storage system
associated with the vehicle and electrical storage device of the
electrically powered accessory and direct incoming power to the
electrical storage system associated with the vehicle and the
electrical storage device of the electrically powered accessory
based on a prioritization of various factors.
Inventors: |
Schumacher; Ryan Wayne;
(Bloomington, MN) ; Vanous; Michael James;
(Minneapolis, MN) ; Leasure; Mark D.; (Eagan,
MN) ; Cregan; Nicholas Allan; (Roseville, MN)
; Srnec; Matt; (Minnetonka, MN) ; Silvestri;
Alessandro; (Barcelona, ES) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
THERMO KING CORPORATION |
Minneapolis |
MN |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005092818 |
Appl. No.: |
17/015194 |
Filed: |
September 9, 2020 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60H 1/00364 20130101;
B60H 1/00392 20130101; B60H 1/00428 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B60H 1/00 20060101
B60H001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 9, 2019 |
EP |
19382776.3 |
Claims
1. A method to distribute power in an electrical power delivery
environment, the method comprising: detecting incoming electrical
power provided by a connection with a power source; determining
power needs for a vehicle electrical storage system; determining
power needs for a climate control unit used in a transport climate
control system; determining electrical power source priorities
among the vehicle electrical storage system and the climate control
unit based on at least the determined power needs; and apportioning
the incoming electrical power between the vehicle electrical
storage system and the climate control unit based on at least in
part the determined electrical power source priorities.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is executed by a power
distribution unit that is electrically affixed to a vehicle that is
at least partially electrically powered.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the determining of electrical
charging priorities includes assessing a time required to fully
power the vehicle electrical storage system and the climate control
unit.
4. The method of claim 2, wherein the determining of the electrical
power source priorities includes placing a higher priority on
delivering power to the climate control unit.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the vehicle electrical storage
system delivers power to a battery of the vehicle.
6. The method of claim 4, wherein the power is delivered to an
electrical storage device of the climate control unit.
7. The method of claim 4, wherein the determining of electrical
power source priorities includes prioritizing transport load
integrity over delivering power to the vehicle electrical storage
system.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the apportioning includes
directing at least a majority of the incoming electrical power to
the climate control unit.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the apportioning includes
directing at least some of the incoming electrical power to the
vehicle electrical storage system.
10. A power distribution unit associated with a vehicle that is at
least partially electrically powered and a climate control unit
used in a transport climate control system providing climate
control to at least one of an internal space of the vehicle, an
internal space of a trailer, and an internal space of a shipping
container, the power distribution unit comprising: a power detector
to detect an incoming electrical connection; a power meter to
assess electrical power needs for electrical components associated
with the vehicle and electrical power needs for the climate control
unit; and a power source manager to: determine power source
priorities of the electrical components associated with the vehicle
and the climate control unit based on, at least, the assessed
electrical power needs for the electrical components associated
with the vehicle and electrical power needs for the climate control
unit, and apportion the incoming electrical power among the
electrical components associated with the vehicle and the climate
control unit based at least in part on the power source
priorities.
11. The power distribution unit of claim 10, wherein the power
source manager is to prioritize power delivery based on, at least,
an assessed time required to fully power respective ones of the
electrical components of the vehicle or the climate control
unit.
12. The power distribution unit of claim 10, wherein the power
source manager is to prioritize delivering power to the climate
control unit based on transport load integrity over delivering
power to a battery of the vehicle.
13. The power distribution unit of claim 10, wherein the power
source manager is to place a higher priority on delivering power to
the climate control unit to provide climate control to at least one
of the internal space of the vehicle, an internal space of a
trailer, or an internal space of a shipping container.
14. The power distribution unit of claim 10, wherein the power
source manager is to place a higher priority on delivering power to
the climate control unit.
15. The power distribution unit of claim 10, wherein the power
source manager is to allocate the incoming electrical power to the
electrical components associated with the vehicle and the climate
control unit in a calculated minimal amount of time.
16. A computer-readable medium that stores executable instructions
that, upon execution, cause a power distribution unit associated
with an electrical storage system associated with a vehicle that is
at least partially electrically powered and an electrical storage
device of a climate control unit providing climate control to an
internal space of the vehicle to deliver power to the electrical
storage system associated with the vehicle and to deliver power to
the climate control unit by performing functions comprising:
assessing real-time power needs for the electrical storage system
associated with the vehicle and real-time power needs for the
climate control unit; and apportioning incoming electrical power to
the electrical storage system associated with the vehicle and the
electrical storage device of the climate control unit by:
prioritizing transport load integrity over other considerations,
and prioritizing power delivery to the climate control unit.
17. The computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the
electrical storage system associated with the electric vehicle
delivers power to a vehicle battery.
18. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein prioritizing
transport load integrity includes prioritizing delivering power to
the climate control unit first.
19. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the
apportioning includes delivering power to the electrical storage
system associated with the vehicle and delivering power to the
electrical storage device of the climate control unit in
parallel.
20. The computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the
computer-readable medium is associated with a power distribution
unit.
Description
FIELD
[0001] The technologies disclosed and recited herein pertain
generally to delivering power to primary and accessory electrical
components associated with a vehicle that is at least partially
electrically powered, as well as to a power source of the vehicle
itself.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A transport climate control system is generally used to
control environmental condition(s) (e.g., temperature, humidity,
air quality, and the like) within a climate controlled space of a
transport unit (e.g., a truck, a container (such as a container on
a flat car, an intermodal container, etc.), a box car, a
semi-tractor, a bus, or other similar transport unit). The
transport climate control system may include, for example, a
transport refrigeration system (TRS) and/or a heating, ventilation
and air conditioning (HVAC) system. The TRS may control
environmental condition(s) within the climate controlled space to
maintain cargo (e.g., produce, frozen foods, pharmaceuticals,
etc.). The HVAC system may control environmental conditions(s)
within the climate controlled space to provide passenger comfort
for passengers travelling in the transport unit. In some transport
units, the transport climate control system may be installed
externally (e.g., on a rooftop of the transport unit, on a front
wall of the transport unit, etc.).
SUMMARY
[0003] The embodiments described herein are directed to the
delivering power to primary and accessory electrical components
associated with a vehicle that is at least partially electrically
powered, as well as to a power source of the vehicle itself.
[0004] To operate one or more of accessory electrical components in
parallel to delivering power to a vehicle battery, via a power
distribution unit, the embodiments described, recited, and
suggested herein facilitate understanding dynamic power available
to the accessory electrical components as well as the vehicle
battery, and then distributing power in a prioritized manner to
optimize the system for a most efficient power delivery process,
with regards to power needs and power delivery time.
[0005] As defined herein, an accessory electrical component is an
electrically powered accessory configured to be used with at least
one of a vehicle, trailer, and a transport container.
[0006] In accordance with at least one embodiment, a method to
distribute power in an electrical power delivery environment may
include: detecting incoming electrical power, the incoming
electrical power provided by a connection with a power source;
determining power needs for a vehicle electrical storage system;
determining power needs for a climate control unit used in a
transport climate control system; determining power source
priorities among the vehicle electrical storage system and the
climate control unit based on at least the determined power needs;
and apportioning the incoming electrical power between the vehicle
electrical storage system and the climate control unit based on at
least in part the determined power source priorities.
[0007] In accordance with at least one other embodiment, a power
distribution unit is associated with a vehicle that is at least
partially electrically powered and a climate control unit used in a
transport climate control system that provides climate control to
an internal space of the vehicle. The power distribution unit
includes, at least: a power detector to detect incoming electrical
power; a power meter to assess electrical power needs for
electrical accessory components associated with the vehicle and
electrical power needs for the climate control unit; and a power
source manager to perform functions that include, at least:
determine power source priorities of the electrical components
associated with the vehicle and the climate control unit based on,
at least, the assessed electrical power needs, and apportion the
incoming electrical power among the electrical accessory components
associated with the vehicle and the climate control unit based at
least in part on the power source priorities.
[0008] In accordance with at least one other embodiment, a
computer-readable medium stores executable instructions that, upon
execution, cause a power distribution unit, which may be associated
with an electrical storage system associated with a vehicle that is
at least partially electrically powered and an electrical storage
device of a climate control unit that provides climate control to
an internal space of the vehicle to deliver power to the electrical
storage system associated with the vehicle and to deliver power to
the climate control unit. The power distribution unit may perform
functions that include assessing real-time energy needs for the
electrical storage system associated with the vehicle and real-time
power needs for the climate control unit; and apportioning incoming
electrical power to the electrical storage system associated with
the vehicle and the climate control unit by prioritizing, at least,
transport load integrity over other considerations and prioritizing
power delivery to the climate control unit.
DRAWINGS
[0009] References are made to the accompanying drawings that form a
part of this disclosure and which illustrate embodiments described
in this specification. Various changes and modifications will
become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following
detailed description. The use of the same reference numbers in
different figures indicates similar or identical items.
[0010] FIG. 1A illustrates a side view of a vehicle with a
transport climate control system, in accordance with at least one
embodiment described herein.
[0011] FIG. 1B illustrates a side view of a vehicle with a
transport climate control system, in accordance with at least one
embodiment described herein.
[0012] FIG. 1C illustrates a perspective view of a climate
controlled transport unit, with a transport climate control system,
attached to a vehicle, in accordance with at least one embodiment
described herein.
[0013] FIG. 1D illustrates a side view of a climate controlled
transport unit with a multi-zone transport climate control system,
in accordance with at least one embodiment described herein.
[0014] FIG. 1E illustrates a perspective view of a mass-transit
vehicle including a transport climate control system, in accordance
with at least one embodiment described herein.
[0015] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a power management system
for a transport climate control system, in accordance with at least
one embodiment described herein.
[0016] FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram representing components
of a controller corresponding to a power management system, in
accordance with at least one embodiment described herein.
[0017] FIG. 4 illustrates an operational flowchart for distributing
power in an electrical power delivery environment, in accordance
with at least on embodiment described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] Embodiments of this disclosure relate generally to a climate
control system for a transport unit. More specifically, the
embodiments relate to methods and systems for providing predictive
power consumption feedback for powering a transport climate control
system.
[0019] In the following detailed description, reference is made to
the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the description. In
the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar
components, unless context dictates otherwise. Furthermore, unless
otherwise noted, the description of each successive drawing may
reference features from one or more of the previous drawings to
provide clearer context and a more substantive explanation of the
current example embodiment. Still, the example embodiments
described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not
intended to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and
other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or
scope of the subject matter presented herein. It will be readily
understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally
described herein and illustrated in the drawings, may be arranged,
substituted, combined, separated, and designed in a wide variety of
different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated
herein.
[0020] It is noted that: U.S. application Ser. No. 16/565,063,
"SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING POWER AND EFFICIENTLY SOURCING A
VARIABLE VOLTAGE FOR A TRANSPORT CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM,"; U.S.
application Ser. No. 16/565,110, "TRANSPORT CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM
WITH A SELF-CONFIGURING MATRIX POWER CONVERTER,"; U.S. application
Ser. No. 16/565,146, "OPTIMIZED POWER MANAGEMENT FOR A TRANSPORT
CLIMATE CONTROL ENERGY SOURCE,"; U.S. Provisional Application No.
62/897,833, "OPTIMIZED POWER DISTRIBUTION TO TRANSPORT CLIMATE
CONTROL SYSTEMS AMONGST ONE OR MORE ELECTRIC SUPPLY EQUIPMENT
STATIONS,"; U.S. application Ser. No. 16/565,205, "TRANSPORT
CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM WITH AN ACCESSORY POWER DISTRIBUTION UNIT
FOR MANAGING ELECTRICALLY POWERED ACCESSORY LOADS,"; U.S.
application Ser. No. 16/565,235, "AN INTERFACE SYSTEM FOR
CONNECTING A VEHICLE AND AN ELECTRICALLY POWERED ACCESSORY,"; U.S.
application Ser. No. 16/565,252, "DEMAND-SIDE POWER DISTRIBUTION
MANAGEMENT FOR A PLURALITY OF TRANSPORT CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEMS,";
and U.S. application Ser. No. 16/565,282, "OPTIMIZED POWER CORD FOR
TRANSFERRING POWER TO A TRANSPORT CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM,"; all
filed concurrently herewith on Sep. 9, 2019, and the contents of
which are incorporated herein by reference.
[0021] While the embodiments described below illustrate different
embodiments of a transport climate control system, it will be
appreciated that the electrically powered accessory is not limited
to the transport climate control system or a climate control unit
(CCU) of the transport climate control system. It will be
appreciated that a CCU can be e.g., a transport refrigeration unit
(TRU). In other embodiments, the electrically powered accessory can
be, for example, a crane attached to a vehicle, a cement mixer
attached to a truck, one or more food appliances of a food truck, a
boom arm attached to a vehicle, a concrete pumping truck, a refuse
truck, a fire truck (with a power driven ladder, pumps, lights,
etc.), etc. It will be appreciated that the electrically powered
accessory may require continuous operation even when the vehicle's
ignition is turned off and/or the vehicle is parked and/or idling
and/or charging. The electrically powered accessory can require
substantial power to operate and/or continuous and/or autonomous
operation (e.g., controlling temperature/humidity/airflow of a
climate controlled space) on an as needed basis, independent of the
vehicle's operational mode.
[0022] FIG. 1A depicts a climate-controlled van 100 that includes a
climate-controlled space 105 for carrying cargo and a transport
climate-control system 110 for providing climate control within the
climate-controlled space 105. The transport climate-control system
110 includes a climate control unit (CCU) 115 that is mounted to a
rooftop 120 of the van 100. The transport climate-control system
110 may include, amongst other components, a climate control
circuit (not shown) that connects, for example, a compressor, a
condenser, an evaporator and an expansion device to provide climate
control within the climate controlled space 105. It will be
appreciated that the embodiments described herein are not limited
to climate-controlled vans, but may apply to any type of transport
unit (e.g., a truck, a container (such as a container on a flat
car, an intermodal container, a marine container, etc.), a box car,
a semi-tractor, a bus, or other similar transport unit), etc.
[0023] The transport climate control system 110 also includes a
programmable climate controller 125 and one or more sensors (not
shown) that are configured to measure one or more parameters of the
transport climate control system 110 (e.g., an ambient temperature
outside of the van 100, an ambient humidity outside of the van 100,
a compressor suction pressure, a compressor discharge pressure, a
supply air temperature of air supplied by the CCU 115 into the
climate controlled space 105, a return air temperature of air
returned from the climate controlled space 105 back to the CCU 115,
a humidity within the climate controlled space 105, etc.) and
communicate parameter data to the climate controller 125. The
climate controller 125 is configured to control operation of the
transport climate control system 110 including the components of
the climate control circuit. The climate controller unit 115 may
comprise a single integrated control unit 126 or may comprise a
distributed network of climate controller elements 126, 127. The
number of distributed control elements in a given network may
depend upon the particular application of the principles described
herein.
[0024] The climate-controlled van 100 may also include a vehicle
PDU 101, a VES 102, a standard charging port 103, and/or an
enhanced charging port 104 (see FIGS. 3A and 3B for the detailed
description about the standard charging port and the enhanced
charging port). The VES 102 may include a controller (not shown).
The vehicle PDU 101 may include a controller (not shown). In one
embodiment, the vehicle PDU controller may be a part of the VES
controller or vice versa. In one embodiment, power may be
distributed from e.g., an EVSE (not shown), via the standard
charging port 103, to the vehicle PDU 101. Power may also be
distributed from the vehicle PDU 101 to an electrical supply
equipment (ESE, not shown) and/or to the CCU 115 (see solid lines
for power lines and dotted lines for communication lines). In
another embodiment, power may be distributed from e.g., an EVSE
(not shown), via the enhanced charging port 104, to an ESE (not
shown) and/or to the CCU 115. The ESE may then distribute power to
the vehicle PDU 101 via the standard charging port 103.
[0025] FIG. 1B depicts a climate-controlled straight truck 130 that
includes a climate-controlled space 131 for carrying cargo and a
transport climate-control system 132. The transport climate-control
system 132 includes a CCU 133 that is mounted to a front wall 134
of the climate-controlled space 131. The CCU 133 may include,
amongst other components, a climate control circuit (not shown)
that connects, for example, a compressor, a condenser, an
evaporator and an expansion device to provide climate control
within the climate controlled space 131.
[0026] The transport climate control system 132 also includes a
programmable climate controller 135 and one or more sensors (not
shown) that are configured to measure one or more parameters of the
transport climate control system 132 (e.g., an ambient temperature
outside of the truck 130, an ambient humidity outside of the truck
130, a compressor suction pressure, a compressor discharge
pressure, a supply air temperature of air supplied by the CCU 133
into the climate controlled space 131, a return air temperature of
air returned from the climate controlled space 131 back to the CCU
133, a humidity within the climate controlled space 131, etc.) and
communicate parameter data to the climate controller 135. The
climate controller 135 is configured to control operation of the
transport climate control system 132 including components of the
climate control circuit. The climate controller 135 may comprise a
single integrated control unit 136 or may comprise a distributed
network of climate controller elements 136, 137. The number of
distributed control elements in a given network may depend upon the
particular application of the principles described herein.
[0027] It will be appreciated that similar to the
climate-controlled van 100 shown in FIG. 1A, the climate-controlled
straight truck 130 of FIG. 1B may also include a vehicle PDU (such
as the vehicle PDU 101 shown in FIG. 1A), a VES (such as the VES
102 shown in FIG. 1A), a standard charging port (such as the
standard charging port 103 shown in FIG. 1A), and/or an enhanced
charging port (e.g., the enhanced charging port 104 shown in FIG.
1A), communicating with and distribute power from/to the
corresponding ESE and/or the CCU 133. FIG. 1C illustrates one
embodiment of a climate controlled transport unit 140 attached to a
tractor 142. The climate controlled transport unit 140 includes a
transport climate-control system 145 for a transport unit 150. The
tractor 142 is attached to and is configured to tow the transport
unit 150. The transport unit 150 shown in FIG. 1C is a trailer.
[0028] The transport climate-control system 145 includes a CCU 152
that provides environmental control (e.g. temperature, humidity,
air quality, etc.) within a climate controlled space 154 of the
transport unit 150. The CCU 152 is disposed on a front wall 157 of
the transport unit 150. In other embodiments, it will be
appreciated that the CCU 152 may be disposed, for example, on a
rooftop or another wall of the transport unit 150. The CCU 152
includes a climate control circuit (not shown) that connects, for
example, a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator and an expansion
device to provide conditioned air within the climate controlled
space 154.
[0029] The transport climate control system 145 also includes a
programmable climate controller 156 and one or more sensors (not
shown) that are configured to measure one or more parameters of the
transport climate control system 145 (e.g., an ambient temperature
outside of the transport unit 150, an ambient humidity outside of
the transport unit 150, a compressor suction pressure, a compressor
discharge pressure, a supply air temperature of air supplied by the
CCU 152 into the climate controlled space 154, a return air
temperature of air returned from the climate controlled space 154
back to the CCU 152, a humidity within the climate controlled space
154, etc.) and communicate parameter data to the climate controller
156. The climate controller 156 is configured to control operation
of the transport climate control system 145 including components of
the climate control circuit. The climate controller 156 may
comprise a single integrated control unit 158 or may comprise a
distributed network of climate controller elements 158, 159. The
number of distributed control elements in a given network may
depend upon the particular application of the principles described
herein.
[0030] In some embodiments, the tractor 142 may include an optional
APU 108. The optional APU 108 may be an electric auxiliary power
unit (eAPU). Also, in some embodiments, the tractor 142 may also
include a vehicle PDU 101 and a VES 102 (not shown). The APU 108
may provide power to the vehicle PDU 101 for distribution. It will
be appreciated that for the connections, solid lines represent
electrical power lines and dotted lines represent communication
lines. The climate controlled transport unit 140 may include a PDU
121 connecting to power sources (including, for example, an
optional solar power source 109; an optional power source 122 such
as a generator set, a fuel cell, an undermount power unit, an
auxiliary battery pack, etc.; and/or an optional lift-gate battery
107, etc.) of the climate controlled transport unit 140. The PDU
121 may include a PDU controller (not shown). The PDU controller
may be a part of the climate controller 156. The PDU 121 may
distribute power from the power sources of the climate controlled
transport unit 140 to e.g., the transport climate-control system
145. The climate controlled transport unit 140 may also include an
optional lift-gate 106. The optional lift-gate battery 107 may
provide power to open and/or close the lift-gate 106.
[0031] It will be appreciated that similar to the
climate-controlled van 100, the climate controlled transport unit
140 attached to the tractor 142 of FIG. 1C may also include a VES
(such as the VES 102 shown in FIG. 1A), a standard charging port
(such as the standard charging port 103 shown in FIG. 1A), and/or
an enhanced charging port (such as the enhanced charging port 104
shown in FIG. 1A), communicating with and distribute power from/to
a corresponding ESE and/or the CCU 152. FIG. 1D illustrates another
embodiment of a climate controlled transport unit 160. The climate
controlled transport unit 160 includes a multi-zone transport
climate control system (MTCS) 162 for a transport unit 164 that may
be towed, for example, by a tractor (not shown). It will be
appreciated that the embodiments described herein are not limited
to tractor and trailer units, but may apply to any type of
transport unit (e.g., a truck, a container (such as a container on
a flat car, an intermodal container, a marine container, etc.), a
box car, a semi-tractor, a bus, or other similar transport unit),
etc.
[0032] The MTCS 162 includes a CCU 166 and a plurality of remote
units 168 that provide environmental control (e.g. temperature,
humidity, air quality, etc.) within a climate controlled space 170
of the transport unit 164. The climate controlled space 170 may be
divided into a plurality of zones 172. The term "zone" means a part
of an area of the climate controlled space 170 separated by walls
174. The CCU 166 may operate as a host unit and provide climate
control within a first zone 172a of the climate controlled space
166. The remote unit 168a may provide climate control within a
second zone 172b of the climate controlled space 170. The remote
unit 168b may provide climate control within a third zone 172c of
the climate controlled space 170. Accordingly, the MTCS 162 may be
used to separately and independently control environmental
condition(s) within each of the multiple zones 172 of the climate
controlled space 162.
[0033] The CCU 166 is disposed on a front wall 167 of the transport
unit 160. In other embodiments, it will be appreciated that the CCU
166 may be disposed, for example, on a rooftop or another wall of
the transport unit 160. The CCU 166 includes a climate control
circuit (not shown) that connects, for example, a compressor, a
condenser, an evaporator and an expansion device to provide
conditioned air within the climate controlled space 170. The remote
unit 168a is disposed on a ceiling 179 within the second zone 172b
and the remote unit 168b is disposed on the ceiling 179 within the
third zone 172c. Each of the remote units 168a,b include an
evaporator (not shown) that connects to the rest of the climate
control circuit provided in the CCU 166.
[0034] The MTCS 162 also includes a programmable climate controller
180 and one or more sensors (not shown) that are configured to
measure one or more parameters of the MTCS 162 (e.g., an ambient
temperature outside of the transport unit 164, an ambient humidity
outside of the transport unit 164, a compressor suction pressure, a
compressor discharge pressure, supply air temperatures of air
supplied by the CCU 166 and the remote units 168 into each of the
zones 172, return air temperatures of air returned from each of the
zones 172 back to the respective CCU 166 or remote unit 168a or
168b, humidity within each of the zones 118, etc.) and communicate
parameter data to a climate controller 180. The climate controller
180 is configured to control operation of the MTCS 162 including
components of the climate control circuit. The climate controller
180 may comprise a single integrated control unit 181 or may
comprise a distributed network of climate controller elements 181,
182. The number of distributed control elements in a given network
may depend upon the particular application of the principles
described herein.
[0035] It will be appreciated that similar to the
climate-controlled van 100, the climate controlled transport unit
160 of FIG. 1D may also include a vehicle PDU (such as the vehicle
PDU 101 shown in FIG. 1A), a VES (such as the VES 102 shown in FIG.
1A), a standard charging port (such as the standard charging port
103 shown in FIG. 1A), and/or an enhanced charging port (e.g., the
enhanced charging port 104 shown in FIG. 1A), communicating with
and distribute power from/to the corresponding ESE and/or the CCU
166. FIG. 1E is a perspective view of a vehicle 185 including a
transport climate control system 187, according to one embodiment.
The vehicle 185 is a mass-transit bus that may carry passenger(s)
(not shown) to one or more destinations. In other embodiments, the
vehicle 185 may be a school bus, railway vehicle, subway car, or
other commercial vehicle that carries passengers. The vehicle 185
includes a climate controlled space (e.g., passenger compartment)
189 supported that may accommodate a plurality of passengers. The
vehicle 185 includes doors 190 that are positioned on a side of the
vehicle 185. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1E, a first door 190
is located adjacent to a forward end of the vehicle 185, and a
second door 190 is positioned towards a rearward end of the vehicle
185. Each door 190 is movable between an open position and a closed
position to selectively allow access to the climate controlled
space 189. The transport climate control system 187 includes a CCU
192 attached to a roof 194 of the vehicle 185.
[0036] The CCU 192 includes a climate control circuit (not shown)
that connects, for example, a compressor, a condenser, an
evaporator and an expansion device to provide conditioned air
within the climate controlled space 189. The transport climate
control system 187 also includes a programmable climate controller
195 and one or more sensors (not shown) that are configured to
measure one or more parameters of the transport climate control
system 187 (e.g., an ambient temperature outside of the vehicle
185, a space temperature within the climate controlled space 189,
an ambient humidity outside of the vehicle 185, a space humidity
within the climate controlled space 189, etc.) and communicate
parameter data to the climate controller 195. The climate
controller 195 is configured to control operation of the transport
climate control system 187 including components of the climate
control circuit. The climate controller 195 may comprise a single
integrated control unit 196 or may comprise a distributed network
of climate controller elements 196, 197. The number of distributed
control elements in a given network may depend upon the particular
application of the principles described herein.
[0037] It will be appreciated that similar to the
climate-controlled van 100, the vehicle 185 including a transport
climate control system 187 of FIG. 1E may also include a vehicle
PDU (such as the vehicle PDU 101 shown in FIG. 1A), a VES (such as
the VES 102 shown in FIG. 1A), a standard charging port (such as
the standard charging port 103 shown in FIG. 1A), and/or an
enhanced charging port (e.g., the enhanced charging port 104 shown
in FIG. 1A), communicating with and distribute power from/to the
corresponding ESE and/or the CCU 192.
[0038] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a power management system
for a transport climate-control system, in accordance with at least
one embodiment described herein. As depicted, power management
system 200 may include, at least, an enhanced power distribution
unit (ePDU) 210, which includes controller 215. The ePDU 210 may be
electrically and/or communicatively connected to electrical supply
equipment 220, to vehicle 230, and/or to electrically powered
accessory 240 associated with transport climate control system 241.
The structure and functionality of ePDU 210 is described in more
detail in U.S. application Ser. No. 16/565,205, "Transport Climate
Control System with an Enhanced Power Distribution Unit for
Managing Electrical Accessory Loads,".
[0039] Vehicle 230 may include at least on-board charger 231 and
rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) 232. Vehicle 230 may be,
as non-limiting examples, climate-controlled van 100,
climate-controlled straight truck 130, tractor 142 with a climate
controlled transport unit 140, and/or vehicle 185, depicted in and
described above with regard to FIGS. 1A-1E.
[0040] Electrically powered accessory 240 may include electrically
powered accessory RESS 241; and electrically powered accessory 240
may correspond to, as non-limiting examples, the climate control
units (CCUs) 115, 133, 152, 166, and/or 192 depicted in and
described above with regard to FIGS. 1A-1E. It will be appreciated
that the electrically powered accessory 240 is not limited to a CCU
of a transport climate control system. In other embodiments, the
electrically powered accessory may be, for example, a crane
attached to a vehicle, a cement mixer attached to a truck, one or
more food appliances of a food truck, etc.
[0041] In accordance with at least one embodiment, the power
management system 200 may further include user interface device
290, which may be implemented as a cell phone, a smart watch, a
personal headset device, an application specific device, or a
hybrid device that includes any of the above functions. Interface
device 290 may also be implemented as a personal computer including
both laptop computer and non-laptop computer configurations,
including a server. The user interface device 290 may connect to
and/or communicate with the electrical supply equipment 220 and the
ePDU 210 either wirelessly, e.g., WiFi; via short-range
communications protocol, e.g., Bluetooth or RF protocol; or via a
wired connection, e.g., Internet, WAN, LAN, etc.
[0042] Electrical supply equipment 220 may be configured,
programmed, or otherwise designed to supply electric power to one
or more of vehicle 230 and electrically powered accessory 240, via
connectors associated with ePDU 210.
[0043] The electric power supplied from the electrical supply
equipment 220, via any one or more of energy power lines 207, 217,
and 227 may be alternating current (AC) and/or direct current (DC)
power. The supplied AC power may be either single-phase AC or
three-phase AC power. The supplied DC power may be Low Voltage (LV)
DC power (e.g., Class A) and/or High Voltage (HV) DC power (e.g.,
Class B).
[0044] As referenced herein, "low voltage" may refer to Class A of
the ISO 6469-3 in the automotive environment, particularly a
maximum working voltage of between OV and 60V DC or between OV and
30V AC.
[0045] As referenced herein, "high voltage" may refer to Class B of
the ISO 6469-3 in the automotive environment, particularly a
maximum working voltage of between 60V and 1500V DC or between 30V
and 1000V AC.
[0046] The connectors may be any suitable connector that supports,
e.g., Combined Charging System (CCS), ChadeMO, Guobiao
recommended-standard 20234, Tesla Supercharger, and/or other
electrical supply equipment standards.
[0047] Controller 215 may be configured, programmed, or otherwise
designed to manage power inputs from at least one of, e.g.,
electrical supply equipment 220 and the utility power source (not
shown), etc., and to prioritize and control power flow to at least
one of vehicle 230 and one or more of electrical accessories 240,
e.g., climate-control unit.
[0048] Controller 215 may communicate with electrical supply
equipment 220 using e.g., powerline communications, Pulse Width
Modulation (PWM) communications, Local Interconnect Network (LIN)
communications, Controller Area Network (CAN) communications, Pilot
signal analog feedback, etc., to support, e.g., CCS, ChadeMO,
Guobiao recommended-standard 20234, Tesla Supercharger, and/or
other electrical supply equipment standards.
[0049] Communications between controller 215 and electrical supply
equipment 220 may include, e.g., a Control Pilot (CP) line and a
Proximity Pilot (PP) line. The CP line may be used by, e.g.,
controller 215 to indicate, e.g., the power receiving level(s) of,
e.g., vehicle 230 and/or electrically powered accessory 240, e.g.,
climate-control unit, to initiate receiving power and/or to
communicate other information to electrical supply equipment 220.
The PP line, i.e., Plug Present line, may further be utilized to
determine a status of a plug in a socket.
[0050] Electrical supply equipment 220 may be configured,
programmed, or otherwise designed to use the CP line to detect,
e.g., the presence of vehicle 230 and/or electrically powered
accessory 240, via ePDU 210, to communicate, e.g., the maximum
and/or minimum allowable charging current and/or voltage to
controller 215, and/or to control, e.g., the charging current
and/or voltage, and/or the beginning and/or ending of power
delivery. The PP line may prevent movement of vehicle 230 and/or
electrically powered accessory 240 and to indicate, e.g., the latch
release button to vehicle 230 and/or electrically powered accessory
240, via ePDU 210.
[0051] In addition, or alternatively, communications from
electrical supply equipment 220 to ePDU 210 may be sent to user
interface device 290. Thus, a user may review the information from
electrical supply equipment 220 and send at least one request
and/or at least one confirmation to electrical supply equipment 220
and/or controller 215, to make at least one adjustment and/or at
least one request accordingly, via user interface device 290. In
accordance with at least some embodiments, a user may authorize
supplying power to one or both of the electrical energy storage
system associated with vehicle 230 and the transport
climate-control system, which may or may not have an energy storage
device associated therewith to receive the delivered energy.
[0052] Controller 215 may be configured, programmed, or otherwise
designed to communicate with a controller, e.g., controller 125,
135, 156, 180, and/or 195 of FIGS. 1A-1E, of electrically powered
accessory 240, e.g., climate-control unit. If electrically powered
accessory 240 indicates that electric energy is needed to power,
e.g., electrically powered accessory RESS 241, electrically powered
accessory 240, controller 215 may control ePDU 210 to distribute AC
and/or DC power received from electrical supply equipment 220 to
electrically powered accessory 240.
[0053] Controller 215 may be further configured, programmed, or
otherwise designed to communicate with controller 233 of vehicle
230. In at least one embodiment, vehicle 230 may include sensors
that provide data regarding, e.g., temperature, pressure, voltage,
current, battery status, and/or battery power level sensor, etc.,
of at least on-board charger 231 and rechargeable energy storage
system (RESS) 232. Controller 233 may communicate the status, e.g.,
status of the sensors and/or charge status, to controller 215. In
at least one other embodiment, sensors associated with controller
215 may be provided to detect and facilitate reporting of, e.g.,
temperature, pressure, voltage, current, battery status, and/or
battery charging level sensor, etc. Controller 215 may communicate,
e.g., status of the sensors and/or charge status, to controller
233.
[0054] Controller 215 may be configured, programmed, or otherwise
designed to communicate the information received from electrical
supply equipment 220 to vehicle 230. Vehicle 230 may
initiate/request power delivery from electrical supply equipment
220, via controller 215 and the CP line.
[0055] If vehicle 230 indicates that electric energy is needed to
charge the vehicle 230, controller 215 may control ePDU 210 to
distribute AC and/or DC power received from electrical supply
equipment 220 to vehicle 230 to provide power to the on-board
charger 231 and/or to charge the RESS 232.
[0056] As set forth above, controller 215 may be further
configured, programmed, or otherwise designed to communicate with a
controller of electrically powered accessory 240, e.g.,
climate-control unit. In at least one embodiment, accessory 240 may
include sensors, e.g., temperature, pressure, voltage, current,
battery status, and/or battery charging level of, at least, RESS
241. Electrically powered accessory 240 may communicate the status,
e.g., status of the sensors and/or charge status to controller 215.
As set forth above, in at least one embodiment, sensors associated
with controller 215 may be provided to detect and facilitate
reporting of, e.g., temperature, pressure, voltage, current,
battery status, and/or battery charging level sensor, etc.
Controller 215 may communicate, e.g., status of the sensors and/or
charge status, to electrically powered accessory 240.
[0057] Controller 215 may be configured, programmed, or otherwise
designed to communicate the information received from electrical
supply equipment 220 to accessory 240. Accessory 240 may
initiate/request power delivery from electrical supply equipment
220, via controller 215 and a communication portal.
[0058] If electrically powered accessory 240 indicates that
electric power is needed for electrically powered accessory 240,
controller 215 may control ePDU 210 to distribute AC and/or DC
power received from electrical supply equipment 220 to accessory
240 to provide energy to at least RESS 241.
[0059] It will be appreciated that power demand/request from
electrically powered accessory 240, e.g., for powering the
transport climate control system to keep the cargo, e.g., produce,
frozen foods, pharmaceuticals, etc., safe and/or fresh may have
higher priority than power demand/request from vehicle 230, e.g.,
for delivering power to a battery associated with vehicle 230. As
such, controller 215 may control ePDU 210 to distribute AC and/or
DC power received from electrical supply equipment 220 to
electrically powered accessory 240 first, and then to vehicle 230
if the higher priority power demand from the electrically powered
accessory 240 is satisfied. That is, electrical power source
priorities may include prioritizing load integrity attributable to
accessory 240 over delivering power to vehicle 230.
[0060] FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram representing components
of the controller 215 corresponding to a power management system,
in accordance with at least one embodiment described herein. As
depicted, controller 215 may include, at least, power supply
detector 305, power meter 310, power observer 313, power source
manager 315, power delivery unit 320, and communications manager
325. As set forth above, the description of each successive drawing
may reference features from one or more of the previous drawings to
provide clearer context and a more substantive explanation of the
current example embodiment. Still, the example embodiments
described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not
intended to be limiting. Further, although illustrated as discrete
boxes or components, any one or more of boxes 305, 310, 313, 315,
320, and 325 may be divided into additional boxes or components,
combined into fewer boxes or components, or eliminated altogether
while being contemplated within the scope of the disclosed subject
matter. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that each
function and/or operation of the boxes or components may be
implemented, individually and/or collectively, by a wide range of
hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof.
[0061] Power supply detector 305 may refer to a component that is
configured, programmed, or otherwise designed to detect an incoming
electrical connection from, at least electrical supply equipment
220, via electrical power line 207. Controller 215 may communicate
with electrical supply equipment 220 and a utility power source
(not shown) in order to prioritize and control power flow to
electrical components associated with vehicle 230, including but
not limited to a vehicle battery, and to electrically powered
accessories 240, including not but limited to a CCU, which may or
may not have an energy storage device to receive delivered energy
associated therewith.
[0062] Power supply detector 305 may detect incoming electrical
connection from electrical supply equipment 220 upon power line 207
corresponding to electrical supply equipment 220 being electrically
connected to ePDU 210.
[0063] Power meter 310 may refer to a component that is configured,
programmed, or otherwise designed to assess electrical power needs
for electrical components associated with the vehicle and
electrical power needs for electrical components associated with
the transport climate-control system.
[0064] Power meter 310 may read or otherwise determine power needs,
i.e., power needed to reach full energy or at least sustainable
energy for completion of a task, of electrical components
associated with vehicle 230 including, but not limited to,
rechargeable energy storage system 232, which may include a e.g.,
battery. As recited and described herein, vehicle 230 may
communicate readings taken by and/or from sensors regarding, e.g.,
temperature, pressure, voltage, current, battery status, and/or
battery energy level sensor, etc., to controller 215. Similarly,
electrically powered accessory rechargeable energy storage system
241 may also have sensors disposed thereon to communicate readings
associated with electrically powered accessory 240 regarding at
least, e.g., temperature, pressure, voltage, current, battery
status, and/or battery energy level of, at least, RESS 241, when
the electrically powered accessory 240 is a CCU for a transport
climate control system.
[0065] Thus, power meter 310 may read or otherwise determine the
aforementioned power needs of the vehicle 230 based on data
received from sensors corresponding to the electrical storage
system associated with vehicle 230, as well as from sensors
corresponding to the electrically powered accessory 240. In at
least some embodiments, the sensors corresponding to electrically
powered accessory are disposed on a corresponding electrical
storage device.
[0066] Power observer 313 may refer to a component that is
configured, programmed, or otherwise designed to calculate power
currently available and forecast usage rates of power by vehicle
230 and/or a battery associated with vehicle 230, as well as
calculate power currently available and forecast usage rates of
power by accessory 240, e.g., climate control unit. Using such
calculations, in part or in whole, power observer 313 may determine
if power demands by vehicle 230 and/or accessory 240 are to be
adjusted.
[0067] Power source manager 315 may refer to a component that is
configured, programmed, or otherwise designed to determine power
source priorities of vehicle 230 and electrically powered accessory
240 based on, at least, the assessed electrical power needs
thereof, and allocate the incoming electrical power based at least
in part on the power source priorities. By at least some
embodiments, power source manager 315 may determine power source
priorities associated with vehicle 230 and/or accessory 240 based
on forecast usage by one or both, as calculated by power observer
313. Further, by the embodiments described and recited herein, the
power source priorities may be alternatively determined based on
power needs or forecast power usage of electrical components
associated with either of vehicle 230 or accessory 240.
[0068] Power source manager 315 may prioritize delivering power to
the electrical storage system associated with vehicle 230 and with
electrically powered accessory 240, which may or may not have an
electrical storage device associated therewith, based on transport
load integrity over delivering power to, e.g., a battery of vehicle
230. That is, top priority for delivering power to the electrical
storage system based on a determination of the power needs of
electrically powered accessory 240, or a power demand/request
therefrom, that the fate of the cargo is likely dependent upon the
climate of the corresponding container when the electrically
powered accessory 240 is a CCU. Alternatively, the power
demand/request from electrically powered accessory 240 may be based
on a forecast usage rate of power thereby. That is, when power
source manager 315 determines or is informed that the cargo within
a container corresponding to vehicle 230 is dependent upon a
consistent climate and that maintaining such climate is dependent
upon the delivery of power to accessory 240, power source manager
315 is to assign a higher priority to accessory 240, which may or
may not include the delivery of power to an associated electrical
storage device. By such embodiment, a CCU may correspond to
electrically powered accessory 240, and provide climate control to
at least one of the internal space of the vehicle, an internal
space of a trailer, or an internal space of a shipping container.
The structure and functionality of power source manager 315 is
described in more detail in U.S. application Ser. No. 16/565,235,
"AN INTERFACE SYSTEM FOR CONNECTING A VEHICLE AND A TRANSPORT
CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM,".
[0069] In at least one alternative embodiment or scenario for which
transport load integrity is not a top priority, power source
manager 315 may prioritize delivering power to vehicle 230 and/or
the electrical components associated therewith based on, at least,
an assessed time required for respective ones vehicle 230 and
accessory 240, e.g., the transport climate-control system to be
fully charged. That is, based on data received from sensors
corresponding to both the electrical storage system associated with
vehicle 230 and the electrical storage device associated with
electrically powered accessory 240, power source manager 315 may
allocate power delivery to either disproportionately based on a
computation of time efficiency for delivering power to both the
vehicle 230 and accessory 240. Considerations for this scenario may
include, but not be limited to, a manual override of instructions
to controller 215 indicating that transport load integrity is not a
present risk, etc.
[0070] In at least one other alternative embodiment or scenario for
which transport load integrity is not a top priority, power source
manager 315 may prioritize delivering power to the electrical
components associated with vehicle 230, thus allocating power to
the electrical storage system associated with vehicle 230 at a
disproportionately higher rate than that to electrically powered
accessory 240 (e.g., a CCU). Considerations for this scenario may
include, but not be limited to, a manual override of instructions
to controller 215 indicating that transport load integrity is not a
present risk, a manual override of instructions to controller 215
to ensure electrical operation of vehicle 230, etc.
[0071] In accordance with at least some embodiments, power source
manager 315 may be configured, programmed, or otherwise designed to
receive authorization before delivering power to the electrical
storage system associated with vehicle 230 or the electrical
storage device associated with the transport climate-control
system. That is, a user may interface with at least controller 215
of ePDU 210 via an application that is installed on or running on
user interface device 290 or via a web-based application. Thus,
authorization for the electrical storage system or the electrical
storage device to receive power may be required, via the
application, prior to power is delivered.
[0072] Power delivery unit 320 may refer to a component that is
configured, programmed, or otherwise designed to distribute AC
and/or DC power received from electrical supply equipment 220 to
electrically powered accessory 240, via electrical power line 227,
and to rechargeable energy storage system 232 associated with
vehicle 230, via electrical power line 217. Power delivery unit 320
may distribute power in accordance with instructions received, or
data detected, from power source manager 315.
[0073] Communications manager 325 may refer to a component that is
configured, programmed, or otherwise designed to facilitate data
communications with electrical supply equipment 220, controller 233
of vehicle 230, and electrical accessory 240.
[0074] FIG. 4 illustrates an operational flowchart for distributing
power in an electrical power delivery environment, in accordance
with at least on embodiment described herein. As depicted,
operational flow 400 includes functions executed by various
components of controller 215 that may be included in ePDU 210 shown
in FIG. 2. However, operational flow 400 is not limited to such
components and processes, as obvious modifications may be made by
re-ordering two or more of the sub-processes described here,
eliminating at least one of the sub-processes, adding further
sub-processes, substituting components, or even having various
components assuming sub-processing roles accorded to other
components in the following description. Operational flow 400 may
include various operations, functions, or actions as illustrated by
one or more of blocks 402, 405, 410, 415, 420, and 425. These
various operations, functions, or actions may, for example,
correspond to software, program code, or program instructions
executable by a digital processor that causes the functions to be
performed. Operations may begin at block 402.
[0075] Block 402 (Plug in to electrical supply equipment) may refer
to power supply detector 305 being electrically connected to, and
detecting the electrical connection, from electrical supply
equipment 220. Block 402 may further, or alternatively, refer to
power supply detector 305 detecting electrical power transmitted to
either of an electrical storage system associated with vehicle 230
or an electrical storage device of transport climate-control
system, via a CP line, also associated with vehicle 230. Operations
may proceed to block 405.
[0076] Block 405 (Determine Power Available) may refer to power
meter 310 and or observer 313 assessing an available amount of
power for vehicle 230 and/or accessory 240, e.g., climate control
unit 240. Operations may proceed to block 410.
[0077] Block 410 (Determine Power Needs) may refer to power meter
310 assessing power needs for electrical components associated with
vehicle 230 and power needs for electrically powered accessory 240,
e.g. climate control unit. In accordance with various embodiments
recited, described, and contemplated herein, power meter 310 may
read or otherwise determine power needs to reach power capacity or
power to sustain operational tasks, of electrical components
associated with vehicle 230 including, but not limited to,
rechargeable energy storage system 232, which may include a e.g.,
battery.
[0078] Power meter 310 may read or otherwise determine the power
needs based on data received from sensors corresponding to the
electrical storage system associated with vehicle 230, as well as
determining power needs from sensors corresponding to electrically
powered accessory 240 or an electrical storage device associated
therewith. Operations may proceed to block 415.
[0079] Block 415 (Prioritize Power Needs) may refer to power source
manager 315 prioritizing power delivery to the vehicle electrical
storage system of vehicle 230 and power delivery to the
electrically powered accessory 240, with the prioritization being
based on at least the determined power needs of the vehicle
electrical storage system and the power needs of accessory 240
and/or power demands of electrical components associated with the
electrically powered accessory.
[0080] In accordance with at least one embodiment, power source
manager 315 may be configured, programmed, or otherwise designed to
place a higher priority for delivering power to the electrically
powered accessory (e.g., maintaining transport load integrity when
the electrically powered accessory 240 is a climate control unit)
over, at least, delivering power to an electrical storage system
for vehicle 230. Such prioritization may have various motivations.
For example, when the electrically powered accessory 240 is a
climate control unit used in a transport climate control system,
prioritization may be grounded in maintaining, e.g. freshness of
produce, potency of pharmaceuticals, etc., by prioritizing
sufficient power delivery to ensure climate control to at least one
of the internal space of the vehicle, an internal space of a
trailer, or an internal space of a shipping container.
[0081] In at least one alternative embodiment, block 415 may refer
to power source manager 315 prioritizing delivering power to the
electrical components associated with vehicle 230 based on, at
least, an assessed time required to fully charge respective ones of
the electrical components charged by the electrical storage system
of vehicle 230 and of the electrical storage device of electrically
powered accessory 240.
[0082] In at least one other alternative embodiment, block 415 may
refer to power source manager 315 prioritizing delivering power to
the electrical components associated with vehicle 230, thus
delivering power to the electrical storage system associated with
vehicle 230 at a disproportionately higher rate than that to the
electrical storage device for the electrically powered accessory
240. Operations may proceed to block 420.
[0083] Block 420 (Authorize), in accordance with at least some
embodiments, may refer to power source manager 315 receiving
authorization to facilitate power delivery to the electrical
storage system associated with vehicle 230 or facilitate power
delivery to the electrical storage device associated with the
electrically powered accessory 240, upon receiving user
authorization via, e.g, a smartphone app or a web-based application
on user interface device 290. Alternatively, in accordance with at
least one other embodiment, controller 215 may authorize power
delivery based on stored data. Operations may proceed to block
425.
[0084] Block 425 (Charge According to Priorities) may refer to
power delivery unit 320 distributing AC and/or DC power received
from electrical supply equipment 220 to electrically powered
accessory 240, via electrical power line 227, and to rechargeable
energy storage system 232 associated with vehicle 230, via
electrical power line 217. Power delivery unit 320 may distribute
power in accordance with instructions received, or data detected,
from power source manager 315. That is, power delivery unit 320 may
distribute power in accordance with the previously determined
charging priorities.
Aspects
[0085] It is to be appreciated that any of the following aspects
may be combined:
[0086] Aspect 1. A method to distribute power in an electrical
power delivery environment, the method comprising:
[0087] detecting incoming power provided by a connection with power
source;
[0088] determining power needs for a vehicle electrical storage
system;
[0089] determining power needs for a climate control unit used in a
transport climate-control system;
[0090] determining power source priorities among the vehicle
electrical storage system and the climate-control unit based on at
least the determined power needs; and
[0091] apportioning the incoming electrical power between the
vehicle electrical storage system and the climate control unit
based on at least in part the determined electrical power source
priorities.
[0092] Aspect 2. The method of Aspect 1, wherein the method is
executed by a power distribution unit that is electrically affixed
to a vehicle that is at least partially electrically powered.
[0093] Aspect 3. The method of Aspect 1 or Aspect 2, wherein the
determining of electrical charging priorities includes assessing a
time required to fully power the vehicle electrical storage system
and the climate control unit.
[0094] Aspect 4. The method of any one of Aspects 13, wherein the
determining of the electrical power source priorities includes
placing a higher priority on delivering power to the climate
control unit.
[0095] Aspect 5. The method of any one of Aspects 1-4, wherein the
vehicle electrical storage system delivers power to a battery of
the vehicle.
[0096] Aspect 6. The method of any one of Aspects 1-5, wherein the
power is delivered to an electrical storage device of the climate
control unit.
[0097] Aspect 7. The method of any one of Aspects 1-6, wherein the
determining of electrical power source priorities includes
prioritizing transport load integrity over delivering power to the
vehicle electrical storage system.
[0098] Aspect 8. The method of any one of Aspects 1-7, wherein the
apportioning includes directing at least a majority of the incoming
power to the climate control unit.
[0099] Aspect 9. The method of any one of Aspects 1-8, wherein the
apportioning includes directing at least some of the incoming
electrical power to the vehicle electrical storage system.
[0100] Aspect 10. A power distribution unit associated with a
vehicle that is at least partially electrically powered and a
climate control unit used in a transport climate control system
providing climate control to at least one of an internal space of
the vehicle, an internal space of a trailer, and an internal space
of a shipping container, the power distribution unit
comprising:
[0101] a power detector to detect an incoming electrical
connection;
[0102] a power meter to assess electrical power needs for
electrical components associated with
[0103] the vehicle and power needs for the climate control unit;
and
[0104] an power source manager to: [0105] determine power source
priorities of the electrical components associated with the vehicle
and the climate control unit based on, at least, the assessed power
needs for the electrical components associated with the vehicle and
power needs for the climate control unit, and [0106] apportion the
incoming electrical power among the electrical components
associated with the vehicle and the climate control unit based at
least in part on the power source priorities.
[0107] Aspect 11. The power distribution unit of Aspect 10, wherein
the power source manager is to prioritize power delivery based on,
at least, an assessed time required to fully power respective ones
of the electrical components of the vehicle or the climate control
unit.
[0108] Aspect 12. The power distribution unit of Aspect 10 or
Aspect 11, wherein the power source manager is to prioritize
delivery of power to the climate control unit based on transport
load integrity over delivering power to a battery of the
vehicle.
[0109] Aspect 13. The power distribution unit of any one of Aspects
10-12, wherein the power source manager is to place a higher
priority on delivering power to the climate control unit to provide
climate control to at least one of the internal space of the
vehicle, an internal space of a trailer, or an internal space of a
shipping container.
[0110] Aspect 14. The power distribution unit of any one of Aspects
10-13, wherein the power source manager is to place a higher
priority on delivering power to the climate control unit.
[0111] Aspect 15. The power distribution unit of any one of Aspects
10-14, wherein the power source manager is to allocate the incoming
electrical power to the electrical components associated with the
vehicle and the climate control unit in a calculated minimal amount
of time.
[0112] Aspect 16. A computer-readable medium that stores executable
instructions that, upon execution, cause a power distribution unit
associated with an electrical storage system associated with a
vehicle that is at least partially electrically powered and an
electrical storage device of a climate control unit providing
climate control to an internal space of the vehicle to deliver
power to the electrical storage system associated with the vehicle
and to deliver power to the climate control unit by performing
functions comprising:
[0113] assessing real-time power needs for the electrical storage
system associated with the vehicle and real-time power needs for
the climate control unit; and
[0114] apportioning incoming electrical power to the electrical
storage system associated with the vehicle and the electrical
storage device of the climate control unit by: [0115] prioritizing
transport load integrity over other considerations, and [0116]
prioritizing power delivery to the climate control unit.
[0117] Aspect 17. The computer-readable medium of Aspect 16,
wherein the electrical storage system associated with the electric
vehicle delivers power to a vehicle battery.
[0118] Aspect 18. The computer-readable medium of Aspect 17 or
Aspect 16, wherein prioritizing transport load integrity includes
prioritizing delivering power to the climate control unit
first.
[0119] Aspect 19. The computer-readable medium of any one of
Aspects 16-18, wherein the apportioning includes delivering power
to the electrical storage system associated with the vehicle and
delivering power to the electrical storage device of the climate
control unit in parallel.
[0120] Aspect 20. The computer-readable medium of any one of
Aspects 16-19, wherein the computer-readable medium is associated
with a power distribution unit.
[0121] Aspect 21. A method to distribute power in an electrical
power delivery environment, the method comprising:
[0122] detecting incoming electrical power provided by a connection
with a power source;
[0123] determining power deficiencies for a vehicle electrical
storage system;
[0124] determining power deficiencies for an electrical storage
device of an electrically powered accessory configured to be used
with at least one of a vehicle, trailer, and a transport
container;
[0125] determining electrical power source priorities among the
vehicle electrical storage system and the electrical storage device
of the electrically powered accessory based on at least the
determined power deficiencies of the vehicle electrical storage
system and the electrical storage device of the electrically
powered accessory; and
[0126] dividing the incoming electrical power between the vehicle
electrical storage system and the energy storage device of the
electrically powered accessory based on at least in part the
determined electrical power source priorities.
[0127] Aspect 22. The method of Aspect 21, wherein the method is
executed by a power distribution unit that is electrically affixed
to a vehicle that is at least partially electrically powered.
[0128] Aspect 23. The method of Aspect 21 or Aspect 22, wherein the
determining of electrical charging priorities includes assessing a
time required to fully power the vehicle electrical storage system
and the electrical storage device of the electrically powered
accessory.
[0129] Aspect 24. The method of any one of Aspects 21-23, wherein
the determining of the electrical power source priorities includes
placing a higher priority on delivering power to the primary
vehicle electrical storage system.
[0130] Aspect 25. The method of any one of Aspects 21-24, wherein
the vehicle electrical storage system delivers power to a battery
of the vehicle.
[0131] Aspect 26. The method of any one of Aspects 21-25, wherein
the electrical storage device of the transport climate control
system delivers power to the electrically powered accessory
associated with the vehicle.
[0132] Aspect 27. The method of any one of Aspects 21-26, wherein
the determining of electrical power source priorities includes
prioritizing transport load integrity over delivering power to the
vehicle electrical storage system of the vehicle.
[0133] Aspect 28. The method of any one of Aspects 21-27, wherein
the dividing includes directing at least a majority of the incoming
electrical power to the vehicle electrical storage system until the
vehicle electrical storage system is fully powered.
[0134] Aspect 29. The method of any one of Aspects 21-28, wherein
the dividing includes directing at least some of the incoming
electrical power to the electrical storage device of the
electrically powered accessory and the vehicle electrical storage
system.
[0135] Aspect 30. A power distribution unit associated with a
vehicle that is at least partially electrically powered and an
electrically powered accessory configured to be used with at least
one of a vehicle, a trailer, and a transport container, the power
distribution unit comprising:
[0136] a power detector to detect an incoming electrical
connection;
[0137] a power meter to assess electrical power needs for
electrical components associated with the vehicle and electrical
power needs for electrical components associated with the
electrically powered accessory; and
[0138] a power source manager to:
[0139] determine power source priorities of the electrical
components associated with the vehicle and the electrical
components associated with the electrically powered accessory based
on, at least, the assessed electrical power needs for the
electrical components associated with the vehicle and electrical
power needs for the electrical components associated with the
electrically powered accessory, and
[0140] allocate the incoming electrical power among the electrical
components associated with the vehicle and the electrical
components associated with the electrically powered accessory based
at least in part on the power source priorities.
[0141] Aspect 31. The power distribution unit of Aspect 30, wherein
the power source manager is to prioritize power delivery to the
electrical components associated with the vehicle based on, at
least, an assessed time required to fully power respective ones of
the electrical components or the electrically powered
accessory.
[0142] Aspect 32. The power distribution unit of Aspect 30 or
Aspect 31, wherein the power source manager is to prioritize
delivery power to the electrical components associated with the
vehicle and delivering power to the electrical components
associated with the electrically powered accessory based on
transport load integrity over delivering power to a battery of the
vehicle.
[0143] Aspect 33. The power distribution unit of any one of Aspects
30-32, wherein the power source manager is to place a higher
priority on delivering power to the electrical components
associated with the electrically powered accessory to provide
climate control to at least one of the internal space of the
vehicle, an internal space of a trailer, or an internal space of a
shipping container.
[0144] Aspect 34. The power distribution unit of any one of Aspects
30-33, wherein the power source manager is to place a higher
priority on delivering power to a battery of the vehicle.
[0145] Aspect 35. The power distribution unit of any one of Aspects
30-34, wherein the power source manager is to allocate the incoming
electrical power to fully power the electrical components
associated with the vehicle and the electrical components
associated with the electrically powered accessory in a calculated
minimal amount of time.
[0146] Aspect 36. A computer-readable medium that stores executable
instructions that, upon execution, cause a power distribution unit
associated with an electrical storage system associated with a
vehicle that is at least partially electrically powered and an
electrical storage device of an electrically powered accessory
configured to be used with at least one of a vehicle, trailer, and
a transport container, to deliver power to the electrical storage
device of the electrically powered accessory, and to deliver power
to electrical components associated with the electrically powered
accessory by performing functions comprising:
[0147] assessing real-time electrical charging needs for the
electrical storage system associated with the vehicle and
electrical storage device of the electrically powered accessory;
and
[0148] directing incoming electrical power to the electrical
storage system associated with the vehicle and the electrical
storage device of the electrically powered accessory by:
[0149] prioritizing transport load integrity over other
considerations, and
[0150] prioritizing minimal charging of the electrical storage
system associated with the vehicle.
[0151] Aspect 37. The computer-readable medium of Aspect 36,
wherein the electrical storage system associated with the electric
vehicle delivers power to a vehicle battery.
[0152] Aspect 38. The computer-readable medium of Aspect 37 or
Aspect 36, wherein prioritizing transport load integrity includes
prioritizing delivering power to the electrically powered accessory
first.
[0153] Aspect 39. The computer-readable medium of any one of
Aspects 36-38, wherein the directing the real incoming electrical
power includes charging the electrical storage system associated
with the vehicle, delivering power to the electrical storage device
of the electrically powered accessory in parallel.
[0154] Aspect 40. The computer-readable medium of any one of
Aspects 36-39, wherein the computer-readable medium is associated
with a power distribution unit associated with the vehicle.
[0155] The terminology used in this specification is intended to
describe particular embodiments and is not intended to be limiting.
The terms "a," "an," and "the," or even the absence of such
modifiers, may refer to the plural forms as well, unless clearly
indicated otherwise. The terms "includes," "including," "comprises"
and/or "comprising," when used in this specification, indicate the
presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations,
elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or
addition of one or more other features, integers, steps,
operations, elements, and/or components.
[0156] With regard to the preceding description, it is to be
understood that changes may be made in detail, especially in
matters of the construction materials employed and the shape, size,
and arrangement of parts, without departing from the scope of the
present disclosure. The word "embodiment" as used within this
specification may, but does not necessarily, refer to the same
embodiment. This specification and the embodiments described are
examples only. Other and further embodiments may be devised without
departing from the basic scope thereof, with the true scope and
spirit of the disclosure being indicated by the claims that
follow.
* * * * *